(FOR ANY CONFUSION—THE "Me" IN THE TEXT MESSAGE SNIPPETS IS MINJAE BECAUSE ITS MINJAE's OLD PHONE.)
Lorenzo's heart pounded. He could feel it as though it was creeping out of his ribcage. The brain in him drooled out of the boxy cage called his skull. He used one hand, gripping his only sense of sobriety while scrolling on the phone with the other. He stared at the messages of love and joy about him. It was like Minjae and his father had roleplayed about him being their baby. Not hers. Not Catrina Giuliania. Not her. And hell, if he didn't look like her so much—it would be straight forward love.
Minjae placed a plate in front of him, and then next to Eunho who sat directly beside him in the highly-lit kitchen. It was big and spacious, with one large table big enough for six people. It was neat, clean and filtered with high chairs and colorful decorations. In the middle of it was a pile of coloring books and crayons. Believe it or not—Vittorio had one. And he was diligently coloring. But, she wasn't the main attraction. This food—it smelled phenomenal. And the cook behind it was a girl. She was tall, maybe 5'5, or something. Shorter than Lorenzo but taller than Eunho, Minjae, and Vittorio. Her name hadn't been spoken yet however, her presence screamed for her.
She was lean and gorgeous—big, blocky glasses like Vittorio. She had the same face as him, but more piercings. Eunho gasped when he saw her, maybe it was because she was pantless or maybe because she was drop dead gorgeous. Or maybe because she held Jia, cooked dinner, and kissed Yoonjae all at the same time. It was a friendlier kiss, and he called her 'my sweet queen.' Lorenzo didn't know what to say, despite it.
He scrolled deeper, dinner could wait. Eunho mirrored him. It reminded Lorenzo of Italy. The omega didn't act until their alpha did. And Eunho is just the most perfect omega.
Funnily enough, that's what his father called Minjae. Every. Single. Day.
Youngmin <3
Minjae-ya?
Me
Mhmm hyungie!! Hi!!!!
Youngmin <3
I'm sorry I forgot to text today.
It was Iseul's first appointment. They don't have free insurance here, so Catrina is stressing.
I promised I'd get a job but she just called me stupid.
How's your day?
Me
Fuck that bitch.
Not literally, you should never touch her.
She's a slut bitch rapist
Stay away from her hyungie
Youngmin <3
I want to
You're my beautiful boy, remember?
But I can't leave Iseul with her. She's going to hurt him or something.
I love you.
Me
Is he healthy?
Our baby..?
Youngmin <3
He's doing perfect, my Minjae <3
He's a little underweight. But it's okay. Because he's still healthy.
Thanks to you, Minnie
I really
Fuck
I'm sorry. I shouldn't curse to you
Me
We're both teenagers hyungie
It's okay
Youngmin <3
No baby
You're 10
I'm 10.
I can't believe I really have a baby
This is how we dressed him today
I didn't want to steal anything but we don't have enough money to pay for clothes
Me
I'll send you some money in the mail
Eomma is doing tours again
Youngmin <3
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he looks good right
It was a picture of him. Lorenzo. Wee and pale, paler than the Korean skies. His shirt was too big, draped over his tiny body like a dress. A cardigan forced on him. He wore a dark hat as if that would let everyone know he was a boy. The socks on his wiggly little toes were huge, like gloves. He wiped his face as he glared. He'd never seen any of his baby pictures. When he was three, his mother slashed every photo to the ground and screamed at Youngmin for reasons Lorenzo couldn't understand. In the photo, his face was all scrutched up, freckles still visible and lips pink. His eyes were wide and expressive, blue sparkling.
Youngmin <3
Right..?
Me
He looks amazing
I love him
He's so tiny. Make sure to send that camera over, okay? Should I get a new one
Youngmin <3
I haven't been taking many videos lately
Sorry.
It keeps slipping my brain.
I think Lilliana is
She's doing good
Im so proud of her for graduating kindergarten
She's so talented and smart
Can I show you the graduation pictures or do you want to keep it strictly with Iseul
Me
Lilliana is my baby too :((((
Has she said anything recently to you?
Youngmin <3
She thought the dress you bought her was amazing
Catrina threw it out.
She said you have no right controlling our child.
I don't think lilliana wants to live anymore
I agree with her
But I won't let Iseul be alone.
180000.jpg
I couldn't stop taking pictures with this new phone
It's so nice Minjae ya
Thank you
Me
Fuck Catrina. I'll get Lili another one
You're going to live. She's going to live
Don't forget that
Hyungie
Read
The next messages spammed for years. Every single day, Youngmin would text Minjae pictures of "their baby" and information about Lorenzo. Like his appointments, his interactions at school, his relations at home, his Korean. One message thread was so gut wrenching for Lorenzo.
Youngmin <3
Hey beautiful
Me
Hyungieeee
What's uppp???
Youngmin <3
23000.jpg
It was Lorenzo. Six years old, smiling brightly as he showed off his new outfit and his best friend, Nicolo. He was bigger, dressed in designer clothes and his smile was too expressive. Olive skin and pinkened cheeks clutched onto a smaller boy.
Don't they look happy?
I swear they might date someday
Me
You shouldn't think that way
Not everyone is like us hyungie..
Not everyone is
Has their innocence taken away and dates young
They're just babies, let's let them be babies and friends
Youngmin <3
You're right. I'm sorry
I don't know what's going on with me
How's it with you guys?
Me
I'm not sure
Has Yoonjae spoken to you
Youngmin <3
Yeah. Bom is doing good in New York
I don't know why he's hiding it from him; still telling him they're brothers
Iseul knows I'm his father
Me
You didn't have a choice, hyungie
Yoonjae was absndoned by guili whatever that bitches name is
*abandoned
Youngmin <3
I know what you meant gorgeous.
I'm just saying
It's weird. You think he'll hide it forever?
Me
I think Bom will figure out soon
Yoonjae says he'll tell him if something bad happens
He says he thinks the Catholic school is doing bad stuff to him
Youngmin <3
They're still in New York?
My.
I want to go back to korea with my baby.
He can meet his real mom
Me
He knows me. It's okay
Did you show him that movie? The one with the mafia and stuff?
Youngmin <3
He loved it
He loooved it
Absolutely couldn't stop pretending to be G. It was hilurious
Catrina is mad
Lili was scared, tho
It was cute
She was screaming at me yesterday and telling me I wasn't her dad and then at night she was huddled into me all scared
I really love them.
Do you think I'll ever make it to Korea gorgeous?
Me
I'm sorry :<
She can be really mean
You haven't thought about getting her diagnosed?
You know she's not regular, hyungie.. you know she's different
Youngmin <3
I used your money and got her to the therapy
But she threw up in it because she thought she would be sent away and you know how bad she wants to be an idol
Me
I know I know baby
Do you want to call? I know you're not smoking a cigarette right now.
Youngmin <3
3599.jpg
It was him. Youngmin, hanging off the balcony with a boy on his hip. Lorenzo waved to the camera—a six year old Lorenzo waved. The older man had a cigarette tucked between his lips, eyes lidded.
Money is tight princess
Me
I'll send you more
I promise
Youngmin <3
Don't waste your money
Me
I love my baby okay
I want you guys to be okay
Iseul is happy with that outfit isn't he
Youngmin <3
Baby
I searched it up
It's five thousand euros
That's 8,000,000 won
Why waste your money baby
Me
Iseul should look good
He's already getting bullied
Let him look good and shine on those bitches
It's Dior and Nike
Should I get him Versace or uhm Cartier?
I want him to have a nice bracelet
Youngmin <3
Baby
You spoil him
Me
Liliana always gets new shoes dress or jewelry
Tell them I love them?
Read
A year later. Lorenzo knew the date by heart, even as it sat on a tiny screen with red and green messages. 2016, February 26th.
Two images showed everything the alpha bought. And letters. Multiple letters neatly lined up, but two of them were shown to the camera in pretty handwriting. The pink one read..something that made Lorenzo's fingers shake as the smell of the food overtook the room. It read; 'Dear, Lorenzo. I know I haven't been the best appa. I'm trying my best to love you, but I know I'm failing. I want you to know that I didn't do this because of you. It's not because of you, your sister, or your mother. I wanted an escape, a punishment for treating you all so horribly. Know that your father loves you. And if you ever need someone to talk to — This person loves you. He loves you fantastically. He will take care of you some day. Better than I could've. His number is here; 0105682673. You don't have to, but if you want to. He'll never change his number, I promise you. I love you so much, Lorenzo. Never think differently. All these gifts are for you and your sister. Split them amongst yourselves.
Tell daddy how you feel every night you're alone. I'll always be listening.
Ti amo, mio Lorenzo."
It made Lorenzo's eyes burn. The chatter amongst him drowned at. His throat was thick and stiff. He swallowed.
He scrolled one last time. And what he saw—the letter left for Minjae..it was. Something he feels he shouldn't be reading.
Youngmin <3
I sent all your money back. I didn't need it these past weeks. I got a gig and my manager gave me a raise for letting him touch me.
I feel worthless now, you know?
I'm a father. I keep telling myself, but it's flawed. None of it is real, baby. None of it.
Lorenzo is a sweetheart. I want you to take him when something happens to Catrina.
I want her to die, Minjae
But I can't kill her
I'll kill something else.
And I'm sorry for that.
It's selfish and my son will grow up fatherless.
I started calling him Lorenzo, isn't that embarrassing?
I know.
I know it is.
I love you so much, Minjae.
My fingers are shaking but I'll do something that's certain.
Find him when he gets older. I don't care how, save him from whatever addiction she'll force him into
You have the strength and the mind my love.
I love you so much. I have to say goodbye now.
I can see my blood draining
It's like ecstasy.
I love you.
I love you
Me
HEYY!!! YOONJAE FINALLY TOLD BOM
what
Youngmin?
Hyung?
Hyungie?
Don't..don't be stupid.
Youngmin <3
I love you.